February 2018

Handmade HangoutOccasionally Crafty: Handmade Hangout

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Welcome to the Handmade Hangout- where you can link up all things made by YOU!








This week I’m featuring three of my favorite projects from last week’s linky.



1.  Metal Winter Sign from Kati from Houseful of Handmade for Oh My! Creative- I love this for winter now that Christmas is over.






2.  Snowball Donut Hole Bouquet from Frugal Foodie Mama- this would be a fun idea for so many different parties!






3.  2016 Household Printables from Simply Stacie- I’m ready to get organized in the new year!



Thanks to everyone for sharing your creations each week!  Now on to this week’s linky.  Remember, we have just a few little rules:



1.  Become a follower of the blog where you linked up.  Of course we’d love it if you follow all our hosts on whatever platforms you use most!

Blog – Facebook – Pinterest – Instagram – Twitter – Google+ Blog – Facebook – Pinterest – Twitter – Hometalk – Google+ Blog – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest – Google+ – Instagram Blog – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest – Google+ – Instagram – Hometalk
2.  Share our button or party link in your post or wherever you share your linky parties
 


Link up your projects!











Music Dice

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Most of you know that Valerie and I teach piano lessons. At the end of the school year we hold a recital and I always like to give the students a little gift. This is what I did last year.



This year I wanted to give them something that would help them in their piano lessons. I really wanted to make them their own canvas bags to hold their piano books, but had a hard time making it economical. Instead I stumbled on these Rhythm Sticks on the Music in Motion website. I often pull out my drum pad and drum sticks during lessons to help them with rhythm, but for a good price I could get them their own sticks to use at home and in lessons! I also decided to get them a pad of manuscript paper to encourage creativity and composition.






One way that I use rhythm sticks in their lessons is by playing a fun game with dice. This is where the crafting comes in. I bought these foam dice at the dollar store. 2 dice come in a package for $1.






Then I printed out different values of notes and rests on the computer, and cut them into squares that would fit onto the dice.




I laminated them.




And then ran them through my Xyron sticker maker, and adhered them to the dice.






Now I have all sorts of rhythmic possibilities for my students to play on their sticks! Roll the dice and tap it out. Also notice that one of the sticks is ridged. Whenever there’s a note more than two beats in length I have them drag the smooth stick along the ridged stick for the length of that note. They love it!

I think this is the first time I’ve crafted for my piano lessons. Hmm…. what else could I make? 






Connect with us! You can find us here:

Music Dice

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Most of you know that Valerie and I teach piano lessons. At the end of the school year we hold a recital and I always like to give the students a little gift. This is what I did last year.



This year I wanted to give them something that would help them in their piano lessons. I really wanted to make them their own canvas bags to hold their piano books, but had a hard time making it economical. Instead I stumbled on these Rhythm Sticks on the Music in Motion website. I often pull out my drum pad and drum sticks during lessons to help them with rhythm, but for a good price I could get them their own sticks to use at home and in lessons! I also decided to get them a pad of manuscript paper to encourage creativity and composition.






One way that I use rhythm sticks in their lessons is by playing a fun game with dice. This is where the crafting comes in. I bought these foam dice at the dollar store. 2 dice come in a package for $1.






Then I printed out different values of notes and rests on the computer, and cut them into squares that would fit onto the dice.




I laminated them.




And then ran them through my Xyron sticker maker, and adhered them to the dice.






Now I have all sorts of rhythmic possibilities for my students to play on their sticks! Roll the dice and tap it out. Also notice that one of the sticks is ridged. Whenever there’s a note more than two beats in length I have them drag the smooth stick along the ridged stick for the length of that note. They love it!

I think this is the first time I’ve crafted for my piano lessons. Hmm…. what else could I make? 






Connect with us! You can find us here:

Music Dice

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Most of you know that Valerie and I teach piano lessons. At the end of the school year we hold a recital and I always like to give the students a little gift. This is what I did last year.



This year I wanted to give them something that would help them in their piano lessons. I really wanted to make them their own canvas bags to hold their piano books, but had a hard time making it economical. Instead I stumbled on these Rhythm Sticks on the Music in Motion website. I often pull out my drum pad and drum sticks during lessons to help them with rhythm, but for a good price I could get them their own sticks to use at home and in lessons! I also decided to get them a pad of manuscript paper to encourage creativity and composition.






One way that I use rhythm sticks in their lessons is by playing a fun game with dice. This is where the crafting comes in. I bought these foam dice at the dollar store. 2 dice come in a package for $1.






Then I printed out different values of notes and rests on the computer, and cut them into squares that would fit onto the dice.




I laminated them.




And then ran them through my Xyron sticker maker, and adhered them to the dice.






Now I have all sorts of rhythmic possibilities for my students to play on their sticks! Roll the dice and tap it out. Also notice that one of the sticks is ridged. Whenever there’s a note more than two beats in length I have them drag the smooth stick along the ridged stick for the length of that note. They love it!

I think this is the first time I’ve crafted for my piano lessons. Hmm…. what else could I make? 






Connect with us! You can find us here:

Music Dice

⋅



Most of you know that Valerie and I teach piano lessons. At the end of the school year we hold a recital and I always like to give the students a little gift. This is what I did last year.



This year I wanted to give them something that would help them in their piano lessons. I really wanted to make them their own canvas bags to hold their piano books, but had a hard time making it economical. Instead I stumbled on these Rhythm Sticks on the Music in Motion website. I often pull out my drum pad and drum sticks during lessons to help them with rhythm, but for a good price I could get them their own sticks to use at home and in lessons! I also decided to get them a pad of manuscript paper to encourage creativity and composition.






One way that I use rhythm sticks in their lessons is by playing a fun game with dice. This is where the crafting comes in. I bought these foam dice at the dollar store. 2 dice come in a package for $1.






Then I printed out different values of notes and rests on the computer, and cut them into squares that would fit onto the dice.




I laminated them.




And then ran them through my Xyron sticker maker, and adhered them to the dice.






Now I have all sorts of rhythmic possibilities for my students to play on their sticks! Roll the dice and tap it out. Also notice that one of the sticks is ridged. Whenever there’s a note more than two beats in length I have them drag the smooth stick along the ridged stick for the length of that note. They love it!

I think this is the first time I’ve crafted for my piano lessons. Hmm…. what else could I make? 






Connect with us! You can find us here:

Music Dice

⋅



Most of you know that Valerie and I teach piano lessons. At the end of the school year we hold a recital and I always like to give the students a little gift. This is what I did last year.



This year I wanted to give them something that would help them in their piano lessons. I really wanted to make them their own canvas bags to hold their piano books, but had a hard time making it economical. Instead I stumbled on these Rhythm Sticks on the Music in Motion website. I often pull out my drum pad and drum sticks during lessons to help them with rhythm, but for a good price I could get them their own sticks to use at home and in lessons! I also decided to get them a pad of manuscript paper to encourage creativity and composition.






One way that I use rhythm sticks in their lessons is by playing a fun game with dice. This is where the crafting comes in. I bought these foam dice at the dollar store. 2 dice come in a package for $1.






Then I printed out different values of notes and rests on the computer, and cut them into squares that would fit onto the dice.




I laminated them.




And then ran them through my Xyron sticker maker, and adhered them to the dice.






Now I have all sorts of rhythmic possibilities for my students to play on their sticks! Roll the dice and tap it out. Also notice that one of the sticks is ridged. Whenever there’s a note more than two beats in length I have them drag the smooth stick along the ridged stick for the length of that note. They love it!

I think this is the first time I’ve crafted for my piano lessons. Hmm…. what else could I make? 






Connect with us! You can find us here:

Scrappin’ Wednesday no. 14

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I thought I’d try something new this week.  Usually, I create my scrapbook pages with my scrapbook software, Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer.  But I noticed my favorite online photo editer, Picnik, has a few scrapbook page layouts.  I thought I’d try one out. They don’t have a huge selection unless you upgrade to Premium, but even at the basic level there are a few cute ones.  It’s also a great place to create photo collages, cards, even blog buttons! Anyway- it was super easy to do, and perfect for my little fall baby.

sewingOccasionally Crafty: sewing

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AvengersUnite #CollectiveBias

I guess it was inevitable that in a house full of boys, we would become huge superhero fans.  Even my daughter has gotten into the spirit of things.  We have taken all our kids to see the movies, we buy the DVD’s, and we even have some toys and other goodies featuring our favorite characters.

Of course we purchased MARVEL’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron the first day it came out (last Friday!)  We picked it up at Walmart for an awesome price, then decided to grab some Halloween costumes too.  My kids actually have other costumes picked out, but they love to play dress-up, so we made sure to grab Spider-Man and The Hulk.  My daughter wanted Black Widow, but they didn’t have it in any of our local stores.  We settled for ordering it online and will pick it up later this week.

Both the costumes and the DVD were easy to find.  The Boy’s Licensed Halloween costumes were full of these costumes, and the DVD/Blu-Ray were right at the front of the store.




I thought it would be fun to celebrate the DVD release of MARVEL’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron  by making my kids some pillowcases featuring their favorite characters.  We have movie nights in our living room where everyone settles in with their pillows and blankets, so this would be a perfect treat for our movie night!



I don’t even sew that much, but my friend showed me a super-easy way to make cute pillowcases awhile back, and I used her instructions to make up this tutorial.


sewingOccasionally Crafty: sewing

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I was honored to be asked by Melissa of Melly Sews to be part of her Summer Sundress Series.  There were so many awesome dresses, and I am in full sewing mode this month!

This post is my contribution to the series.

When I sew, I find I am more inspired by fabric then by a pattern or tutorial.  I see a fabric (or fabrics) I like, and think “that would make a great_____________”.  Is that weird?  (Don’t tell me if I’m a freak).  Anyway, I was in the fabric store when i saw this beautiful bundle of pastel fabrics, and I immediately thought “that would make a great strip-pieced skirt or dress!”  I made this one last year for my daughter, but I wanted something a little more fitted, and the spring-y colors perfectly fit the vision that was forming in my head.  So,without further ado, I present: 

Materials needed: (This is for a size 5/6 girl.  You will only need to adjust the length of your strips for whatever size you make).

Fabric– bear with me here:  I used a fat quarter bundle (found in fabric stores or online).  You could also use a jelly roll (also found in stores or online) if you like narrrower strips, or simply buy 1/4 yard of each fabric you want to use.  So, your yardage will vary depending on how wide you want your strips and how many different fabrics you want.  

1 old (or cheap) tank top- a great way to recycle a too-short top or something with a stain on the lower part.

1-2 yards of trim- optional again, this will vary depending on the size of your dress.

Sewing supplies- sewing machine, coordinating thread, scissors or rotary cutter and board, pins, etc.

Difficulty level: Beginner

Time to complete:  2-3 hours, more if you have small children that interrupt your sewing time 🙂

** Note**- use 1/2 inch seams unless otherwise noted.

Let’s get started!

1.  Choose your fabric.  Make sure it is prewashed and ironed.  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  If you don’t prewash it, it will shrink, and your strips of fabric will pull apart at the seams.  Trust me.  I know.

2.  Lay out your tank top and determine how much of it you want to keep.  I wanted the “skirt” portion of the dress to fall right about at my daughter’s natural waist, but you could do an empire waist, too.  I measured 4 inches from the armpit on each side, then added 1/2 inch for seam allowance.  Do this for each side, then cut your shirt to desired length.

Before

After


3.  Set the shirt aside.  Now, take some time to determine how wide and long you want your strips to be (mine are 4 inches wide and 18 1/2 inches long), how full you want your skirt to be (mine will be only slighly fuller than a straight skirt), and the order you want your pieces to fall.   This is all personal preference.  You really can do it however you want. I decided to use 5 fabrics, and because I wanted a narrower, almost straight dress, I used each fabric twice. If you want a fuller skirt, you will either need to use more fabrics or repeat them more. As far as length, the fat quarters were the perfect length for what I wanted.  (about 18  inches).  This will make the strips fall from my daughter’s natural waist to just around her knee.  Find your length (from “waist” of dress to desired length), add 1/2 inch for seam allowance (and 1/2 inch for a hem, if you won’t be using trim on the bottom), then trim your strips as needed. 4.  Now comes the easy part– sewing strips together.  Place first two fabrics right sides together, pin along the long edge, and sew.  I didn’t do this because I am lazy, but you can finish off your seams with pinking shears or with an overlock stitch to avoid fraying or uncomfortable rubbing.

here are my first two pieces, right sides together.

5.  Add the next fabric, again, placing right sides together, pin and sew the long edge together.  Press your seam allowance to the same side as your previous one and finish if desired. Continue until you have your first set of fabrics sewn together.
7.  I find it easiest to manage all the stripes by sewing them in separate panels.  Since I chose five fabrics and wanted to repeat them once, I sewed two panels of five strips each.  I hope that makes sense.  If you want a fuller skirt, you might have three panels, each with five strips. Once you have all your panels sewn, it’s time to join them together.  Since I only had two panels, I laid one on top of the other, right sides together.  I then pinned and sewed up each long side.

 If you have more than two panels, you will only sew along one side.  

Open it up, press flat, and get ready to add your next panel.
Place the third panel on top of your second panel, right sides together.  Pin and sew.
Open it up and press flat.You should now have a long row of three panels sewn together.
Make it into a circle by bringing the long sides together, right sides together.  Pin and sew.  You should now have a big circle. 8.  I thought the dress needed a little something more, so I purchased some trim-by-the-yard and cut it to fit the circumference of my skirt.  I needed about a yard.  If you don’t want to add trim, simply hem the bottom of your skirt by pressing the raw edge up 1/4 inch, then rolling over another 1/4 inch and sewing in place. If you are adding trim, simply insert the raw edge at the bottom of the dress in between the folds of the trim, kind of like bias tape.  Pin in place.
Sew in place.  I placed one seam right along the edge of the trim, then sewed another seam 1/4 inch to the side.  This simply reinforces the seam so your fabric stays put. 9.  I’m so sorry I didn’t take pictures of this, but the final step is to sew the skirt to your tank top.  To do this, you will have to gather your skirt- either a little or a lot, depending on how full your skirt is. Sew a basting stitch along the top of your skirt at a 3/8 inch seam, leaving the ends long. Pin your skirt to the bottom of your tank top, right sides together, at the side seams.  Pull gathering threads until your skirt fits into the tank top.  Even out gathers and pin in place. Sew the skirt and top together at 1/2 inch, then turn right side out.

For more help in gathering, go here.

10.  You can be done right here and have a really cute dress!  I wanted to add a few details (after the fact).  I added a band at the waistline to cover the warped stretching that sometimes occurs when you sew knits on a regular sewing machine. If you’d like to make one, here’s what I did.

Meausure the circumference of the dress where you want your band to be.  Cut a fabric strip to that size, plus 1/2 inch for hemming.

Determine the width you’d like and add 1/2 inch.
Fold over long edges  (top and bottom of band)1/4 inch and press in place. Repeat with short edges.
Pin to dress with right side of fabric facing up and sew as close to the top and bottom of the band as possible.  

 11.  I also wanted a little something at the neckline, so I added this little bow. Here’s how I made it:

Cut off a strip of fabric from the unwanted part of your tank top. 

Grasp each end of your strip and pull until it starts to stretch and roll.
Tie it in a bow.
Attach it to the front of your dress with a needle and thread.

 Okay, now we’re really done.  I promise.  Here’s your sweet little sundress!  Can you tell it was cold outside when I made her take these pictures? Well, it was cold for Phoenix.  I think it was in the 60’s and windy.  We’re thin-blooded around here.  The things we do for blogs……but she sure loves her dress! I hope directions are clear.  If you have any questions, leave a comment or email me!  Have a great weekend!

2 comments:

Labels: for the kids, sewing

babyOccasionally Crafty: baby

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Today is my sweet baby’s first birthday!  This is a great occasion to be a little crafty for someone else- so, I took a deep breath and braved my FIRST EVER FONDANT CAKE!
I used the Make-a-Cake Series tutorials from Make It and Love It to create this cake, and I must say, these tutorials are easy to follow and have great results!  There are also some great reader tips in the comments.  I have never done anything like this before and I think it turned out pretty cute.  

I also made him a cute little shirt to wear for the big day.


It’s been a tough year for me.  We’ve had a lot of challenges together, my grumpy baby and me.  The days went so slowly sometimes, but the year went so quickly– if you are a mom, you understand what I mean.  I’m so happy we made it here, and I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for us.

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